textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for roughly the area along and north of an Iowa City to Mount Carroll line through mid morning. Periods of light snow and blowing snow will lead to hazardous travel conditions.

- A Wind Advisory is in effect area-wide through this morning for west to northwest winds gusting between 40 to 50 mph.

- Weak clipper systems may bring occasional light snow and flurries to portions of the area Tuesday through Wednesday night.

- Seasonable temperatures are expected through the week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 330 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025

GOES low and mid-level WV imagery showed a gradually fading deformation axis wrapping moisture in from the north out of Minnesota and Wisconsin down into eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois, and a pronounced dry slot well to the east over the Lower Great Lakes. We'll have bands of light snow moving from north to south through the northern half or so of the outlook area (roughly along and north of the I-80 counties) through 6 to 8 AM this morning before the activity pulls away. Additional snow amounts will remain on the light side with up to 1" possible northeast of the Quad Cities and under 1" elsewhere. No changes to the Winter Weather Advisory which is in effect until 9 AM with the main impacts being slippery travel conditions and visibility reductions from falling/blowing snow.

Expect a very cold start to the day with wind chills in the single digits and teens below zero! Wind chills will remain in the single digits above and below zero through the afternoon as highs struggle to reach the mid/upper teens for most locations.

Strong winds will continue this morning, after peaking overnight in the 45-60 mph range for much of the area. It will remain windy through the afternoon as well but should drop down a level with models showing a notable decrease in 925-850mb winds. Therefore, adjusted the end time of the Wind Advisory to 12 PM today with sub-advisory level gusts anticipated for the afternoon hours (mostly under 45 mph). Forecast lows tonight are in the single digits and teens.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 330 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025

Northwest flow aloft is expected through much of the week as a deep upper trough sets up over the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada. This will result in seasonably cold temperatures and occasional chances for light snow from Tuesday through Wednesday night. The first wave may bring some light snow and flurries on Tuesday. The NBM is keeping this system mostly northeast of the outlook area; however, some models at least clip the eastern portion of the area with a little light snow. Another wave is forecast to roll through on New Year's Eve and the NBM seems to be slow to catch on, showing a dry forecast. So went with WPC's QPF of a few hundredths across the NE half of the area which yields light snow accumulations. Late in the period, models are showing a return to zonal flow aloft which will lead to moderating temperatures into the upcoming weekend.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 455 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025

Strong west to northwest winds will continue today with gusts between 25 - 40 kts. Occasional light snow and flurries will last through 12-14Z before quickly diminishing. Expect MVFR ceilings into this afternoon with improvement to VFR possible later in the period. Blowing snow will remain possible at CID and DBQ through this morning, which could result in near surface visibility reductions.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...Wind Advisory until noon CST today for IAZ040>042-051>054- 063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099. Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM CST this morning for IAZ040>042-051>054-063>066. IL...Wind Advisory until noon CST today for ILZ001-002-007-009- 015>018-024>026-034-035. Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM CST this morning for ILZ001- 002-007. MO...Wind Advisory until noon CST today for MOZ009-010.